The Waterberg is tucked away in South Africa’s far northern reaches, this vast sandstone mountain range straddles South Africa’s Limpopo province (home to Rudyard Kipling’s “great grey-green, greasy Limpopo River”). Here, 150 rugged, malaria-free kilometres of bushveld paradise await those in search of the best African safari tour.
Marakele National Park
At the heart of the Waterberg, the Marakele National Park offers romantically remote Big Five safari tours. Its diverse landscape, from open grasslands to mountains and dramatic valleys, teems with all the big game, as well as herds of kudu, sable, eland, tsessebe and wildebeest.
Not to be outdone, the birdlife is pretty spectacular too. The park attracts the world’s largest colony of Cape Vultures, with up to 800 amorous pairs shaking their tail feathers in the height of the breeding season. And the uplift from the mountains’ cliff faces is the perfect launchpad for raptors to ride the thermals in search of lunch.
Lapalala Wilderness Reserve
Off the charts – and the grid – is another Waterberg favourite. What began as a dream (like most good stories) Lapalala tells an upbeat tale of conservation success, driven by renowned founders and great friends, Clive Walker and Dale Parker.
The first private reserve in South Africa to receive relocated black rhino, it’s flourished over the last forty years into an unparalleled safari tour destination. In addition to its impressive Big Five sightings, the reserve also boasts a growing population of rare roan antelope and a handsome buffalo breeding project.
